Syllabus
Rudolph G. Gordon School at Jones Mill
2018-2019 Science Grade 6 Syllabus - Mrs. Kammer
MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of Rudolph G. Gordon School, in cooperation with home and community, is to prepare children to become lifelong learners and responsible, productive citizens by creating meaningful learning experiences in a safe, nurturing environment.
Instructor: Stephanie Kammer Room: 1309
Planning Times: (available conference times, but please schedule in advance):
2nd Period: 9:03- 9:56 6th Period: 1:44- 2:45
Email: skammer@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/skammer/home
Voicemail: (864) 452-1213
COURSE TITLE: Science Grade 6
COURSE DESCRIPTION (Focus and Purpose): Grade 6 Science is a rigorous course designed to cover the following strands of standards:
Atmosphere and weather (earth science)
Behavior, structure, and responses of various plants, animals, protists, and fungi (life science)
Energy conservation, magnetism and electricity, simple machines, and work (physical science)
Inquiry and the strategies, processes, and tools scientists use to conduct proper investigations
Students will learn about lab procedures and safety, while we will conduct lab experiments in class that relate to all of the above topics.
GOALS: The Science Department’s mission is to motivate students to become life-long, enthusiastic learners of science, who are responsible, environmentally conscious citizens that will protect and preserve the natural resources of the world for the future. We want students to leave sixth grade as independent learners that function on the highest levels of thinking to evaluate, synthesize, and analyze information. Instruction will be based on the Greenville County Schools curriculum guide and the South Carolina ELA Curriculum Standards. These standards can be accessed on the SC Department of Education website: http://ed.sc.gov/scdoe/assets/file/agency/ccr/Standards-Learning/documents/South_Carolina_Academic_Standards_and_Performance_Indicators_for_Science_2014.pdf
TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE for INSTRUCTIONAL UNITS:
- 1st Quarter: Lab safety, Inquiry, Energy transfer and conservation
- 2nd Quarter: Earth’s weather and Climate
- 3rd Quarter: Classification of living things, Animals (adaptations and survival)
- 4th Quarter: Protists, fungi, and plants, Cumulative review
REQUIRED TEXTS: Our textbook is online this year. science techbook
TEACHING METHODS and STRATEGIES: We use an Inquiry Based Strategy where students are asked to explore and discover concepts initially on their own with teacher facilitation. Using a Learning Focused format for instruction, acquisition lessons present major concepts with graphic organizers to maximize learning and retention. Students extend and refine their learning with activities designed to promote higher levels of thinking such as analysis and evaluation. Discussions and hands-on group activities build and extend skills. Authentic projects are assigned throughout the year to assess learning. Instructional activities are designed based on our district curriculum guide and state standards.
ASSESSMENTS and GRADING for SCIENCE: Students are assessed using both formative (classwork assignments) and summative (projects and tests) assessments.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS: Formative assessments are given to measure student progress and understanding. Formative grades could include: daily class work assignments, homework grades, group work, and quizzes. Formative grades will count for 50% of a student’s average.
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS: Summative /major assessments include unit interactive notebook checks, tests, & projects. Summative assessments will count for 50% of the student’s average.The district-wide grading scale is as follows:
100-90 A
89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D
59-50 F
The district floor is a grade of 50. No students will receive a lower grade on official district report cards.
CLASSWORK POLICY: Classwork will be in the science Interactive Student Notebook (ISN). These assignments will be checked for mastery with a ✔+, ✔, or ー system. A formal number and letter grade will be given each quarter as a cumulative notebook check.
✔+ = Student has mastery or near mastery of content.
✔ = Student is approaching mastery of content.
ー = Student is not approaching mastery of content.
*Science Interactive Student Notebooks (ISN) will be graded after students have completed several sections in each unit and will be counted as a summative grade (major grade).
MAKEUP WORK / ABSENCE POLICY: Students must make up missed work within 5 days of returning to school. Students are responsible for making arrangements with teachers to make up the work. Teachers should be contacted before or immediately after the excused absence. -- RGS Student Handbook
RE-TESTING POLICY: A student may request to retake an assessment. The student will be allowed to retake after they have completed a remediation process. The retest must be completed within one week of the original assessment.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS AND PROCEDURES: Students are expected to be respectful of each other at all times. There are several required expectations:
ALL students must wear an ID badge.
ALL students must carry their materials.
ALL students must abide by the dress code.
ALL students must practice the 3 R's: Rights of others, Respect for others, Responsibility for learning
SCHOOL-WIDE DISCIPLINE PLAN: Specific rules and policies regarding discipline can be found on the school district website and in the student handbook RGS Student Handbook "Discipline Policy". Our school-wide discipline plan with regards to minor rule violations consists of a step plan designed to give parents the opportunity to assist with discipline whenever possible. The steps are:
Conference with student, seat change if necessary
Parent phone call/email and student reflection letter
Teacher after-school detention and parent communication
Office referral = principal detention
Additional student behavior guidelines may be found in the student handbook.
PROCEDURES for NON-INSTRUCTIONAL ROUTINES: Students are expected to be on time and to have all assignments and materials needed for each class. Attendance is taken at the beginning of the class period, and tardiness is noted. As students enter the room, they should begin the assigned bell work. Students are asked not to go to the restroom during class time unless it is an emergency. They can go to the bathroom during class change.
HONOR CODE POLICY AND PLAGIARISM: Students must adhere to our school honor code and plagiarism policy. Cheating or the copying of work belonging to another person is a violation of school rules as well as personal ethics. Both the lender and borrower will receive a grade of 50% (district floor) on the work, and parents will be notified.
Plagiarism is cheating. Examples of plagiarism include:
Copying and pasting from the Internet or copying directly from books or magazines without properly citing the source.
Copying another student’s work, turning in another student’s work, or having another student do the work.
Buying papers on the Internet.
PARENT COMMUNICATION: Parents, teachers, and students work together to promote learning. Please call me and leave a voicemail at any time. You can also reach me by email: skammer@greenville.k12.sc.us.
Mrs. Stephanie Kammer
Science Grade 6
Room 1309
452-1213